Mindful Leader

Then, Why the Wesleyan Understanding of "Church"?

The two readings were from Genesis and Hebrews -- with an attempt to focus on the idea of Grace.  This was not a particularly scripturally based exposition of God's word.  A little history and a lot of Wesleyan Theology.  

Second, why the church?

 Sermon is a conversation among the elements of last week (First, Why God?), Hosea 2: 16-20 with an emphasis on the last two of those verses, and Hebrews 10: 19-25 with a little other scripture thrown in for good measure.  

First, Why God?

There is a lot of scripture here but in theory it is based on Joshua 24: 14-15 but it is also Job 38, Proverbs 3, Acts 5, Genesis 1, John 1, and Amos 7 with a touch of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics thrown in for good measure.  Three basic parts here:  prove God, some characteristics of God (not exhaustive) and finally, what does this God expect of us?  

When we first laid this out a few months ago, the idea of linking it in any way to Jefferson/July 4th was not part of the "plan" whatever that means.  

This is one of the longer sermons I have ever given.  Over 34 minutes.  

April 5, 2015 -- Easter Sunday

The sermon is drawn from Mark 16: 1-8.  I like the short ending.  It is quite rich.  Jesus is not there?  Say what?  It works for me for some reason.  Big ideas were (1) Who will roll away the stone, (2) Who, me?  and (3) Who isn't a little afraid?  

Marilyn White helped me with some of the "order".  I had the ending illustration earlier in the service.  It clearly worked better here.  

January 18, 2015 -- "What would Jesus say about race relations ..."

The sermon here is more drawn from the idea of "listen for the pain" than the Acts 10: 34-43 that was read, but Peter and his carrying the Jesus story to the Gentiles does in part lead to the idea of "pain."  

The idea for this came from comments made to me from feedback in December when I lifted up some concerns over events in Ferguson, MO; Saratoga Springs, UT; West Valley, UT; Staten Island, NY, and Cleveland, NY.  The focus here was to suggest that listening to the pain being expressed was important.  

January 4, 2015 -- What Would Jesus Say About ... Silo Thinking

Number 1 in a six part series on "What Would Jesus Say About ..." and we will insert a topic or five.  

This one is drawn from Acts 2: 42-46.  More of a reflection on the human condition, rather than a traditional exegetical sermon.  

December 24, 2014 -- 8:30 PM Service

Our reflection from Christmas Eve -- you might think of this as borderline "the Gospel according to the Simpsons" or words to that effect. A lot of fun. Merry Christmas!

December 14, 2014

Sermon is from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 and really more on the rejoice, pray and be thankful theme.  

November 9, 2014

My second sermon on Ruth -- this is Ruth 2.

September 21, 2014

This sermon is from Matthew 20: 1-16 -- sometimes called "The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard." In reality, it is "The Parable of the Extravagantly Generous Landowner." Part of the subtext in this is the baptism of Ginny Trawick, a doubly special child: Down and (on the way) Cancer Survivor. Ginny and her family have shown special resilience and strength. Yes to God's Possible might have been the title, if I used titles.